St. Malo, MB– When the St. Malo Jr. B Warriors Head Coach Ralph Collette heard the news that his community was selected to host the 2013 Keystone Cup Championships April 18 to 21, he knew his hometown would be up for the challenge.

With Collette’s help, the community of St. Malo got together and formed an organizing committee. The St. Malo Keystone Cup Host Committee has been busy preparing a budget, planning a red carpet fundraising event, creating merchandise, renting a tent, and preparing the arena. Sponsorship Manager Frank Lambert and his team set lofty financial goals and then surpassed their goal by 15%.

“Our title sponsor Monsanto Canada has been our supporter right from the beginning,” says Maurice Gosselin, Vice President of the Host Committee. “But we just found out that the Manitoba Metis Federation has come on board as our Volunteer and Host Sponsor, which is a huge boost to our event. With the addition of ten other main sponsors, we have the confidence and the means to put on a great tournament.”

There’ll be lots to do besides watch first-class hockey. The Host Committee plans to set up a large tent beside the arena for activities, sponsor kiosks and music (DJ and live bands). The tent will also act as an overflow area with tables for people to eat and relax between periods and games; however the tent can’t be set up if there is mud on the grounds. “Here’s hoping for either lots of snow or very dry temperatures,” says Gosselin.

Competing at the Keystone Cup Championships are the qualifying teams from each Western Canadian province as well as the host team. The annual tournament attracts thousands of players and fans from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. This will be the eighth time that Manitoba hosts the Keystone Cup Championships. Teams from Manitoba won the Keystone Cup twice and captured silver four times, including the St. Malo Jr. B Warriors in 1998.

“The level of play of these teams and players is incredible. Hockey fans will get to witness some very exciting talent on the ice,” says Gosselin. “Recently our St. Malo Jr. and Sr. Warriors both won their league championships in 2009, and the community rallied around them. We’re a true hockey town and this is our free pass to compete for the Cup, so we’re hoping our local fans will be here to cheer us on.” St. Malo is located along Highway 59, approximately 45 minutes south of Winnipeg. The St. Malo Jr. B Warriors have been a part of their community for the last 18 years.

Tickets and a full schedule are available online at www.keystonecup.ca. Visit the site for more info for the red carpet fundraising event being held on Saturday, April 6 at the St. Malo Parish Hall.